Are old-style Economy 7 meters being withdrawn?

flowerpotty47

I have been on Economy 7 for nearly 4 decades, with an ancient meter giving readings for Low and Normal.    The meter is wired to a separate timeclock which I assume controls the switchover.  

ALL of my electrical appliances are on low rate at night, not just night store and  immersion heaters.  Over the years it has saved me a great deal of money.

I have been told that this style of meter will be withdrawn in June 2025 forcing me to go to a Smart Meter.   Is this true?

I cannot find any information about whether a Smart meter will work with the configuration that I have, and am worried that I may have to have the place re-wired in order to comply. 

Keep_pedalling

If you have a radio switched set up yes, the radio service is being switched off but you should post any questions you have about this over on the energy board as this has nothing to do with benefits. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

tacpot12

Don't worry. A Smart meter will work with your configuration. You existing meter relies on a radio signal to switch between low rate and normal rate, and it is this radio signal that is being switched off and causing the need to upgrade to Smart meters. 

Make sure you have a good record of your electricity consumption over the previous 12 months before you agree to a new Smart meter being installed just in case it is faulty. While this is extremely unlikely, it's not unheard of. 

EssexHebridean

As above - it's just a case of ensuring that when the meter is changed the installer understands that you need a meter that will work to ensure that your off-peak rate switches the supply. As a rule your supplier will have let them know this anyway, but there is never any harm in double-checking when they arrive. 

The advice above about ensuring that you have a good record of your electricity use should be applied whether or not you are moving to a smart meter. Any meter can fail, and that record will help if that should happen with your current meter prior to it being changed, too. I would also ensure that you have a photograph on the readings from the old meter on its removal, too, incase there is any issue with those readings being given to the supplier. 

BillBrumNew

Up until 12 months ago I also had a mechanical time clock and two-rate E7 meter setup.  It was not a radio teleswitch, so not activated twice a day by the radio signal, but 'clicked' from one rate to the other when the turning clock face reached the trigger point.  Although the radio teleswitch system is being terminated, the question remains as to whether mechanical clocks can continue as that system is not dependant on the radio system.

lohr500

BillBrumNew said:

Up until 12 months ago I also had a mechanical time clock and two-rate E7 meter setup.  It was not a radio teleswitch, so not activated twice a day by the radio signal, but 'clicked' from one rate to the other when the turning clock face reached the trigger point.  Although the radio teleswitch system is being terminated, the question remains as to whether mechanical clocks can continue as that system is not dependant on the radio system.

I'm not sure, but I would imagine the mechanical clock type switches will also be approaching end of life. Presumably the mechanical meters to which they are attached will be nearing or past their certification date?